On average, they cost about half of what it costs to install a central air conditioner. They use less energy so that electricity bills will be lower as well. But they do require more regular maintenance than an air conditioner, although the savings you can gain in the long run will most likely overshadow this fact.
When considering among prices, you will find quite a range. The price will depend on the area that the cooler will effectively cool and the power of the motor that will circulate the cooled air. The least expensive evaporative coolers cost about the same as a portable or window air conditioning unit, starting at about $100 to $200 for a size that will cool one medium-sized room. The more space that a cooler will be able to cool efficiently, the higher the price of the unit will be. Evaporative cooler power is measured by units called CFMs – cubic feet per minute. To figure out the size that you need, a good rule of thumb is to measure the cubic area of the room and divide that number by 2. However, be sure to check the manufacturer’s information for a particular unit before making a decision.
Since an evaporative cooler works by passing hot air through wet pads, the cost of replacing the pads should be taken into consideration when evaluating cooler prices. Changing the pads regularly is an important part of maintenance for your cooler, and will keep the unit working as an air purifier as well. The pads are usually made from wood shavings or other absorbent materials and will need to be replaced a minimum of twice a year. The pads normally cost between $20 and $40 per set.
There’s one more way in which evaporative coolers can save money. Electricity costs can be as much as 75% less than with a traditional air conditioner. Additionally, some utility companies will give customers rebates as an incentive to install an evaporative cooler. For example, in California, PG&E offers up to $300 in rebates for installing a whole-house evaporative cooling system. Check with your local energy provider to see if you can take advantage of these additional savings on cooler prices.
